Bloorview Kids Rehab's Centre for the Arts(Bayview and Eglinton area) offers a range of arts-based workshops and activities. Programs are available for all ages and priority is given to those with special needs. Visit their web site for more. http://www.bloorview.ca

Ida Ton's Art Studio(Victoria Park/Danforth) 416-275-0565 has worked with students with ASD and offers art classes.

Variety Village offers two integrated drama classes for younsters. See their web site www.varietyontario.com or call 416-699-7167

A Toronto-area group called DramaWay offers programs that are geared and modified to provide a creative outlet for children with special needs. Visit them at their web site for more. www.dramaway.com

BUCKET DRUMMINGMy Bucket Drumming Program is an interactive hands-on workshop/presentation. Participants will learn about technique, rhythm and drumming and have many opportunities to try out their new skills. I also incorporate fun rhythm challenges or games which students of all ages always enjoy. The Bucket drumming works very well for those with varying degrees of disabilities or special needs as well as for team building with companies and various organizations. Click here to read more...http://www.dsldrums.com/

MUSIC THERAPY CENTRE

1175 Bloor Street West (west of Dufferin)Wheelchair accessible.The Music Therapy Centre is a not-for-profit business supported by the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund.We provide one-on-one music therapy sessions for people of all ages and abilities. We also provide group sessions when available.For more information please call 416-535-0200 or email info@musictherapytrust.cawww.musictherapytrust.ca

Hidden Gems Autism ServicesHidden Gems Autism Spectrum Services offers therapeutic art & play services to facilitate self-expression and communication skills for children on the autism spectrum. A free consultation can be scheduled for those interested. Please see their website for more information: www.hiddengemsautism.com

DRAWING AUTISM

My name is Jill Mullin. I am an educator with 9 years of professional experience working with children and adults who have been diagnosed with autism; I have a MS in Education as well as a MA in Behavioral Psychology. I am currently working on a book, provisionally titled DRAWING AUTISM. The book has a scheduled release date of November 2009 and will be published by Mark Batty Publisher, a publisher that specializes in books about visual communication. Over the years I have become more and more interested in the illustrations people diagnosed on the autism spectrum create. Of course, the visual is how all of us inform ourselves of our places in the world, but I have found illustrations by autistic people possess a unique perspective that is acute, both in how they see the world and how laypeople can be helped to understand how autistic people may see the world.

I am writing with the hope that you may know some individuals with autism that may be interested in submitting artwork for consideration for this book. If you know any artists who are on the autism spectrum and may be interested in submitting artwork for consideration for the book please feel free to have them send submissions my way. A limited number of artwork will be selected for inclusion in the book. A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated.

Currently I am collecting submissions of works from a wide range of artists, all the work is completed by individuals on the autism spectrum. If you know anyone interested in participating in this project please scan and email any submissions. If you prefer to send samples via mail, my publisher's address is listed below. If a work is chosen to be part of this book, release forms will be sent to the artist from the publisher.

If you have any specific questions regarding this project please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you so much for your time and support and I look forward to hearing from you.